Thomas Jefferson April 13, 1743- July 4, 1826 Political Party: Democratic-Republican First term as President: 1800-1804 Vice President: Aaron Burr Second term as President: 1805-1809 Vice President: George Clinton Thesis Thomas Jefferson led a truly incredible life and served faithfully as the third President of the United States of America. Besides being the author of arguably the single most important American document, The Declaration of Independence, Jefferson purchased Louisiana from the French and was instrumental in doubling the size of America. He went further to become involved in the Tripolitan War (1801-1805) and had great naval success in fighting the pirates. Finally, he let the Alien and Sedition Acts lapse, lowered taxes substantially, and even managed to cut the national debt by a third. Through the accomplishments he oversaw in the Tripolitan War, the way in which he handled his national policies, and the purchase of Louisiana from the French I believe that Thomas Jefferson earned an A- as the third President of the United States.
Goals for Presidency
Jefferson was one of the strongest advocates for liberty that our country has ever known. A stringent revolutionary, Jefferson planned to end the strong hold that the Hamiltonian Federalists had on the role of presidency. He feared that the Federalists were slowly attempting to annihilate the values that this country had been founded upon and guaranteed to the citizens through the Bill of Rights. His vision of Democracy was very similar to the form that we have today, entirely representative so all people may have a say in government, from the bourgeois to the proletariat. In doing this he wanted to entirely eliminate all religious ties within government, a line that was extremely less distinct in his time. Further, he wanted to lessen the taxes that had been placed upon the lower classes, such as the whiskey tax, that had effectively been curb-stomping them as the upper class was far less affected by this.
Jefferson also had big plans in store for the country. He was looking for ways to expand the country by somehow moving west and south into Florida. He knew that as the new generation was spawning, a stronger pioneering spirit was blossoming and the push further west was inevitable. Jefferson, though he himself was a slave owner, did not completely approve of an ongoing slave trade in a democratic nation. His goals were ambitious and he attained several of them, although several of his efforts were thwarted.
Congressional Relationship
Jefferson wanted to help eliminate some of the strict ties that had begun to be formed between the political parties. The system Jefferson thought was one that would destroy the country eventually if people would only vote along party lines. Jefferson’s Congress was like the Congress of almost every other president. When a person of one party receives the seat of president, Congress usually has very similar political views as that is the party that is in favor with the people and thus they elect that party as their Congressman also. Jefferson’s Congress supported him in almost all endeavors but this trust proved to be damaging sometimes as can be seen with the Embargo Act of 1807 barring trade with other nations. This was a hasty resolution that was the only alternative to war. As America at this point still took its isolationist stance, this act helped reinforce that American’s had no desire to take sides in the problems erupting in Europe. Although it was effective in avoiding war, it was greatly hindering the American economy and was unpopular among the people so Jefferson and his Congress were forced to repeal it.
Positive Outcomes of Jefferson's Presidency
During the early 1800’s The United States were constantly threatened by the Barbary Pirates and were required to pay a ransom in order to make themselves exempt from the inevitable pirate raids. The tribute was then raised much to the despair of America, and Thomas Jefferson sought to take diplomatic measures in order to solve the crisis. Although this was a very noble thing to do, and amongst civil-minded individuals it may have been successful, but as he was dealing with pirates no official compromise could be made. Because of this and increased attacks on American vessels Thomas Jefferson sent a naval contingent to deal with the threat, although constitutionally he should not have done this as it is a power of Congress. However, after a short feud the Americans were successful in one of their first true naval battles, under the presidency of Jefferson. This was a demonstration to both America and the world that America was becoming a force to be trifiled with, but still desired to be an isolationist state, as we only fought when no other option presented itself.
Another major accomplishment of Jefferson was the elimination of the Whiskey Tax and did not instate any taxes other than typical excise taxes. This was a move that greatly helped the poor of America. The tax had been hurting the common man westward and was unfavorable amongst the lower class. Even in doing this, Jefferson lowered the national debt by 37 million dollars even after the Louisiana Purchase which cost 11 million. When Jefferson came into office there was a national debt of 83 million dollars and when he finally left office eight years later that debt had been lowered to 57 million. If he had not purchased Louisiana the national debt would have been lowered by more than half.
Indefinitely the most important thing that Jefferson did as President came in the form of a treaty signed on April 30, 1803. This signature exchanged 11 and a quarter million American dollars for over 800,000 sq. miles west of the Appalachian from the Mississippi River to the Rocky Mountains. This was probably one of the most important exchanges in American history. The motives behind it also showed that beneath his calm visage lay the mind of a truly articulate diplomat. In 1801 the Spanish and the French signed a secret treaty granting Louisiana to France. There was fear that if the Americans did not purchase New Orleans from France war may break out due to close proximity. After many deliberations it turned out that we not only bought New Orleans, but all of Louisiana. This greatly expanded the country and helped gain Jefferson the support he needed after his reputation had been slandered in the eyes of people of the time when it was said that he had fathered 5 children to one of his slaves. The Louisiana Purchase greatly bolstered his reputation especially in the eyes of the pioneers eager to venture westward.
Negative Outcomes of Jefferson's Presidency The one outstanding negative of Jefferson’s presidency was the Embargo Act of 1807. This act barred trade with several countries and hurt the American economy. The Embargo Act was set into enacted due to Napoleon’s attempted conquest of Europe. Because of this conflict the British and French began to raid American ships. Remaining with the American ideology of isolationism the Embargo Act was set into motion in order to remain neutral in this conflict. America wanted no part in this conflict so stopped all trade with foreign entities. The Embargo Act ended up having larger ramifications for America than it did foreign entities. The French actually supported the Embargo Act because it supported Napoleon’s plan by eliminating foreign trade. The English simply supplemented the trade that they had typically had with America through other countries. The Embargo Act also put out of work many people that had already been of the lower class, such as sailors and dockworkers. Further, despite the fact that America had enacted this measure, American farmers continued to produce the same amount of crops and thus many of the crops went foul in storage for extended periods of time. All around the Embargo Act had very few positive effects which caused Congress to repeal the act in 1809.
Decisions for Posterity The biggest decision that was made during the Jefferson presidency was by far the Louisiana Purchase. This single act greatly expanded America and allowed people to venture far west. This helped American agriculture and spread out the American people amongst almost an entire continent. This decision however was not intentionally constitutional. Nowhere in the Constitution did it say that America could acquire land by treaty, but Jefferson thought this to be important enough to violate the Constitution. Jefferson proved to be correct in this assumption. The American people were overjoyed by this action and quickly began to spread west in hopes of expanding personal fortunes and to be successful in the new land where no European had ever ventured before. Another especially important thing that Jefferson did was bring about the end of Federalist dominance in the presidency. Before Jefferson all American Presidents had been Federalists. Jefferson came into office in 1801 and changed this. He had been afraid that the Federalists had been trying to take away citizen’s rights, and based on their actions this had seemed to be true. Jefferson came into the office loving liberty and gave these rights back to the people. One example of which was the lapsing of the Alien and Sedition acts. Jefferson left behind him a legacy that people live upon today.
Conclusion After the two terms with Thomas Jefferson as President, America was a larger and better off country. Through his strong beliefs in liberty and his calm and peaceful personality Jefferson lowered the national debt, doubled the size of the country and made life easier for the common man. His two terms changed the entire country and made possible a future of greatness for America. Although the Embargo Act was a dark point in his presidency, I feel as though the good of his presidency far exceeded the bad. For all of these efforts I would give Thomas Jefferson an A- as the third President of the United States of America.
Thomas Jefferson
April 13, 1743- July 4, 1826
Political Party: Democratic-Republican
First term as President: 1800-1804 Vice President: Aaron Burr
Second term as President: 1805-1809 Vice President: George Clinton
Thesis
Thomas Jefferson led a truly incredible life and served faithfully as the third President of the United States of America. Besides being the author of arguably the single most important American document, The Declaration of Independence, Jefferson purchased Louisiana from the French and was instrumental in doubling the size of America. He went further to become involved in the Tripolitan War (1801-1805) and had great naval success in fighting the pirates. Finally, he let the Alien and Sedition Acts lapse, lowered taxes substantially, and even managed to cut the national debt by a third. Through the accomplishments he oversaw in the Tripolitan War, the way in which he handled his national policies, and the purchase of Louisiana from the French I believe that Thomas Jefferson earned an A- as the third President of the United States.
Goals for Presidency
Jefferson was one of the strongest advocates for liberty that our country has ever known. A stringent revolutionary, Jefferson planned to end the strong hold that the Hamiltonian Federalists had on the role of presidency. He feared that the Federalists were slowly attempting to annihilate the values that this country had been founded upon and guaranteed to the citizens through the Bill of Rights. His vision of Democracy was very similar to the form that we have today, entirely representative so all people may have a say in government, from the bourgeois to the proletariat. In doing this he wanted to entirely eliminate all religious ties within government, a line that was extremely less distinct in his time. Further, he wanted to lessen the taxes that had been placed upon the lower classes, such as the whiskey tax, that had effectively been curb-stomping them as the upper class was far less affected by this.
Jefferson also had big plans in store for the country. He was looking for ways to expand the country by somehow moving west and south into Florida. He knew that as the new generation was spawning, a stronger pioneering spirit was blossoming and the push further west was inevitable. Jefferson, though he himself was a slave owner, did not completely approve of an ongoing slave trade in a democratic nation. His goals were ambitious and he attained several of them, although several of his efforts were thwarted.
Congressional Relationship
Jefferson wanted to help eliminate some of the strict ties that had begun to be formed between the political parties. The system Jefferson thought was one that would destroy the country eventually if people would only vote along party lines. Jefferson’s Congress was like the Congress of almost every other president. When a person of one party receives the seat of president, Congress usually has very similar political views as that is the party that is in favor with the people and thus they elect that party as their Congressman also. Jefferson’s Congress supported him in almost all endeavors but this trust proved to be damaging sometimes as can be seen with the Embargo Act of 1807 barring trade with other nations. This was a hasty resolution that was the only alternative to war. As America at this point still took its isolationist stance, this act helped reinforce that American’s had no desire to take sides in the problems erupting in Europe. Although it was effective in avoiding war, it was greatly hindering the American economy and was unpopular among the people so Jefferson and his Congress were forced to repeal it.
Positive Outcomes of Jefferson's Presidency
During the early 1800’s The United States were constantly threatened by the Barbary Pirates and were required to pay a ransom in order to make themselves exempt from the inevitable pirate raids. The tribute was then raised much to the despair of America, and Thomas Jefferson sought to take diplomatic measures in order to solve the crisis. Although this was a very noble thing to do, and amongst civil-minded individuals it may have been successful, but as he was dealing with pirates no official compromise could be made. Because of this and increased attacks on American vessels Thomas Jefferson sent a naval contingent to deal with the threat, although constitutionally he should not have done this as it is a power of Congress. However, after a short feud the Americans were successful in one of their first true naval battles, under the presidency of Jefferson. This was a demonstration to both America and the world that America was becoming a force to be trifiled with, but still desired to be an isolationist state, as we only fought when no other option presented itself.
Another major accomplishment of Jefferson was the elimination of the Whiskey Tax and did not instate any taxes other than typical excise taxes. This was a move that greatly helped the poor of America. The tax had been hurting the common man westward and was unfavorable amongst the lower class. Even in doing this, Jefferson lowered the national debt by 37 million dollars even after the Louisiana Purchase which cost 11 million. When Jefferson came into office there was a national debt of 83 million dollars and when he finally left office eight years later that debt had been lowered to 57 million. If he had not purchased Louisiana the national debt would have been lowered by more than half.
Indefinitely the most important thing that Jefferson did as President came in the form of a treaty signed on April 30, 1803. This signature exchanged 11 and a quarter million American dollars for over 800,000 sq. miles west of the Appalachian from the Mississippi River to the Rocky Mountains. This was probably one of the most important exchanges in American history. The motives behind it also showed that beneath his calm visage lay the mind of a truly articulate diplomat. In 1801 the Spanish and the French signed a secret treaty granting Louisiana to France. There was fear that if the Americans did not purchase New Orleans from France war may break out due to close proximity. After many deliberations it turned out that we not only bought New Orleans, but all of Louisiana. This greatly expanded the country and helped gain Jefferson the support he needed after his reputation had been slandered in the eyes of people of the time when it was said that he had fathered 5 children to one of his slaves. The Louisiana Purchase greatly bolstered his reputation especially in the eyes of the pioneers eager to venture westward.
Negative Outcomes of Jefferson's Presidency
The one outstanding negative of Jefferson’s presidency was the Embargo Act of 1807. This act barred trade with several countries and hurt the American economy. The Embargo Act was set into enacted due to Napoleon’s attempted conquest of Europe. Because of this conflict the British and French began to raid American ships. Remaining with the American ideology of isolationism the Embargo Act was set into motion in order to remain neutral in this conflict. America wanted no part in this conflict so stopped all trade with foreign entities. The Embargo Act ended up having larger ramifications for America than it did foreign entities. The French actually supported the Embargo Act because it supported Napoleon’s plan by eliminating foreign trade. The English simply supplemented the trade that they had typically had with America through other countries. The Embargo Act also put out of work many people that had already been of the lower class, such as sailors and dockworkers. Further, despite the fact that America had enacted this measure, American farmers continued to produce the same amount of crops and thus many of the crops went foul in storage for extended periods of time. All around the Embargo Act had very few positive effects which caused Congress to repeal the act in 1809.
Decisions for Posterity
The biggest decision that was made during the Jefferson presidency was by far the Louisiana Purchase. This single act greatly expanded America and allowed people to venture far west. This helped American agriculture and spread out the American people amongst almost an entire continent. This decision however was not intentionally constitutional. Nowhere in the Constitution did it say that America could acquire land by treaty, but Jefferson thought this to be important enough to violate the Constitution. Jefferson proved to be correct in this assumption. The American people were overjoyed by this action and quickly began to spread west in hopes of expanding personal fortunes and to be successful in the new land where no European had ever ventured before.
Another especially important thing that Jefferson did was bring about the end of Federalist dominance in the presidency. Before Jefferson all American Presidents had been Federalists. Jefferson came into office in 1801 and changed this. He had been afraid that the Federalists had been trying to take away citizen’s rights, and based on their actions this had seemed to be true. Jefferson came into the office loving liberty and gave these rights back to the people. One example of which was the lapsing of the Alien and Sedition acts. Jefferson left behind him a legacy that people live upon today.
Conclusion
After the two terms with Thomas Jefferson as President, America was a larger and better off country. Through his strong beliefs in liberty and his calm and peaceful personality Jefferson lowered the national debt, doubled the size of the country and made life easier for the common man. His two terms changed the entire country and made possible a future of greatness for America. Although the Embargo Act was a dark point in his presidency, I feel as though the good of his presidency far exceeded the bad. For all of these efforts I would give Thomas Jefferson an A- as the third President of the United States of America.
Sources
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